A new representative survey by the Austrian Defense Ministry shows that 73% of citizens support compulsory military service. This is the highest level of approval since the system was introduced, public broadcaster ORF reports, BTA reports.
For comparison, in the 2013 referendum, 60% of voters voted to keep compulsory military service. Today, more than half of those surveyed - 51% - They even believe that military service should be extended, Defense Minister Claudia Tanner announced at a press conference.
Only 10% of citizens are categorically against compulsory service, and 14% are “rather against“, said Wolfgang Prinz, head of the department for strategic and public research at the ministry.
Support for the conscription system has been growing steadily in recent years. According to the “Gallup”, in 2023 it was 65%, and in 2025 - already 70%. "The current 73% is another clear confirmation of the right path that Austria has been on since 2013," commented Tanner, recalling that the decision of the then referendum was a "wise choice."
By the end of the year, a special military commission appointed by the minister must prepare proposals for the development of military and civilian service - an alternative to conscription, which is longer and can be chosen by conscripts. The commission will also consider whether the term of military service should be extended.
However, the survey shows that readiness for real military defense remains lower. Only about a third of those surveyed said they would defend Austria with weapons in the event of a possible attack. Among men fit for military service, this share rises to 43%.
Minister Tanner does not consider this result to be alarming. According to her, the important thing is that there is trust in the system, and the state's commitment is to modernize it and make it more attractive to young Austrians.